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Ogando dealing with more shoulder inflammation

Ogando dealing with more shoulder inflammation

7/28/13: Alexi Ogando throws 4 2/3 solid frames, cruising through four scoreless before tiring in the fifth as he allows one run on six hits

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- Pitcher Alexi Ogando is dealing with inflammation around a nerve in his right shoulder and there is a good possibility he won't make his next start on Monday against the Astros.

Ogando had a CAT scan on Wednesday. Dr. Keith Meister has reviewed the results, but Ogando will also get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham. There is also a possibility Ogando could get an anti-inflammatory injection this weekend and that would definitely scratch him from Monday's start.

If so, the Rangers could either bring Ross Wolf out of the bullpen or call up Josh Lindblom from Triple-A Round Rock to start on Monday.

Wolf is the Rangers' long reliever, but has pitched just one inning since July 28. He is 1-2 with a 6.89 ERA in three spot starts. Lindblom is 8-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 14 starts and two relief appearances at Triple-A Round Rock and is scheduled to pitch for the Express on Sunday. He is 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA in five starts and three relief appearances with the Rangers this season.

Ogando has already been on the disabled list twice this season. He was sidelined from May 16 to June 5 with triceps tendinitis and, after making just one start, again from June 6 to July 23 with inflammation in the shoulder. This time the inflammation is in a different spot.

Ogando broke into the Major Leagues as a reliever in 2010. He went to the rotation in 2011, back to the bullpen last season and returned as a starter this year. That leaves open the question of how much that has led to his physical issues this season.

"That's something we'll have to think about more in the offseason," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He was very good as a starter in 2011, very good out of the 'pen [in 2010] and OK out of the bullpen last year ... not as dominating. He has been a little more inconsistent this year, but I'm not sure it's the role."